Ski Scotland and the Association of Scottish Ski Areas have come out fighting after accusations of spending too much on snowmaking.

A report for the Climate Coalition by the Priestley International Centre for Climate recently claimed that three of Scotland's main ski resorts were spending more than 50% of their operating budgets on artificial snow factories.

It follows the poor winter ski season of 2016/17.

However the two organisations are refuting the claims in the strongest possible terms.

They accuse the report's authors of getting the facts wrong and using questionable research techniques.

"This information is incorrect and its widespread reporting and repetition undermines the reputation both of the ski companies involved and the Scottish snowsports industry," said a joint statement.

"To the best of our knowledge, no academic or researcher from the Priestley Centre has been in touch with any of Scotland's five mountain ski resorts."